Archive for December, 2011

Dec 30 2011

Herbs that Offer Relief For Hand Tremors

Published by under herbs,tremors

Is there anything that can help with Parkinson hand tremors? Tremors started in my right leg and now have spread to my right hand and arm. I’m trying to remain positive. Neurologist gave me Azilect but hasn’t helped at all that I can tell. Should I keep taking it?

Thanks

Susan

If the prescription medications you have been taking have not served the purpose that was intended, it may be time to look elsewhere for options. Of course it would be important to consult with your neurologist before proceeding. If one therapy to treat the tremors is not helpful, I think it is smart to consider other therapeutic options.

Herbalists are wonderful resources in this regard. I have interviewed Andrew Bentley, a highly qualified herbalist from Lexington, Kentucky, who provided several possible herbs that address problems with tremors. Andrew was one of the pioneers that was featured in the first release of Pioneers of Recovery (http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com)

The particular form of herb that has the potential to help depends on a wide variety of factors. It would be sweet if the answer would be”Take herb X and you are sure to see relief.” The neurological system is far more complicated than most people realize.

The choice of the particular herb to treat your tremor depends on a variety of factors  including your body type and overall metabolic constitution.

If someone has a lot of tremors but no pain, Andrew Bentley explains that:

“A herb that is an anti-spasmodic might help more than if someone is experiencing a lot of pain and rigidity, in which case we might use an entirely separate type of things. Some things are helpful more or less across the board.”

Several types of herbs have been found to be helpful depending on the person and the situation. Barley Malt extract is one that actually helps with the levels of dopamine in the brain. Oat straw is sometimes helpful for tremors. Andrew explains that oat straw usually does not cause drowsiness. A lot of things that are anti-spasmodic also cause sedation. He further explains that :

Valerian is a much stronger herb for helping to suppress tremors but it does carry some risk of sedation, of feeling more drowsy and so forth especially when people first start taking it. Sometimes that lessons as time goes on. It is a very strong substance when it comes to helping control involuntary muscle movement tremors and involuntary movement of otherwise involuntary muscles. It is a good one for that.

“Passion flower is also one that is helpful for some particular individuals. These are all things that would go into that category of working on tremors.

Last but certainly not least, Aunt Bean has invented a fava bean tincture that offers her profound relief from tremors. You can find detailed information about how she makes her homemade tincture by visiting the Parkinsons Recovery fava bean website:
http://www.favabeans.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

3 responses so far

Dec 30 2011

How to Manifest Recovery in 2012

Several weeks ago I sent out an invitation to persons who receive my free newsletter to do an exercise I have found personally powerful. The invitation was to jump ahead one year to January, 2013 and reflect back on everything you are grateful for. In other words, you set in motion the ability to manifest your dreams for 2012.

What follows is an email from Alan who has given permission to post here on the Parkinsons Recovery blog.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

Here is my list of gratitude for 2012. I accompany it with a story from Autobiography of a Yogi, a long-standing classic.

A student went to his teacher/guru, having become quite sick.

I see you have made yourself ill, said the teacher, but tomorrow you will feel better.”

Gladdened, the student went home and regained health. He returned to thank the teacher, who said,

“I see you have made yourself well. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?”

A wave of fear went through the student at the prospect of becoming ill again. He did become ill again and could hardly drag himself back to the teacher. Of course, the teacher said,

“You have again made yourself again indisposed.”

 The student, exhausted, asked the teacher what was going on.

“Really, it has been your thoughts that have alternatively made you feel weak and strong. You have seen how your health has exactly followed your subconscious expectations. Thought is a force, even as electricity or gravity.”

He then went on to explain that the mind is a spark of divine consciousness and that a thought, if believed intensely, would come to pass.  pp.133-4.

I could certainly use some work on the intensity of thought, but doing the exercise that Robert suggested has helped change my thinking. I listened to his broadcast many times to be sure I understood it. Then, I took some planned time and made my list of improvements as if looking back on them from 2013.

The next day, I found that I had planted those “subconscious expectations” mentioned above. For the past few weeks, that phrase “subconscious expectations” has been coming to mind. I wondered how I could set them up to be relieved of the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Without realizing it, this was the answer. Writing things out commits yourself to what you are writing. The next day. I kept thinking that change is possible and started acting as if it was happening.

The support for acting out change comes from within!! It is cool to see thought go to work for you. Everything will correspond. Of course, there is a battle between what is and what I can change. The nice thing is that the writing strongly plants new seeds in the mind of healthy thoughts because it is one of your actions–and it is free!

List of gratitude:

  • I restore full use of my left hand with flexibility and contractions are released.
  • My steady balance is restored.
  • I have excellent bladder control.
  • I regain and surpass the muscle mass that I have lost in the past few years.
  • I turn over spontaneously in bed while sleeping.
  • I live in a manner that improves my health, day by day.
  • As my symptoms disappear, my medications are reduced down to nothing.
  • Complete feeling returned to the left side of my body and face.
  • I advance in my career, personal growth, and wealth.
  • I easily chew and swallow all foods and liquids. Choking has ceased. I swallow saliva spontaneously.
  • I complete all tasks, intellectual and physical, easily with normal speed.
  • I walk efficiently with a normal gait and maintain a completely upright posture.
  • I lift and carry heavy items with ease.
  • I give positive encouragement to others.

It is necessary to have something in your mind besides devastation. I stayed positive and had faith in my first year and a half. I seemed to have spiritual healings but not so much physical ones. I was trying to defeat the “medical model”: it will progress.

That is all I knew and believed (from the Internet), and I did get worse in that time.  I found Parkinsons Recovery at this time of year in 2008-9. I soon committed myself to recovery, starting with vitamins. I’ve had to fight progression, and it has been challenging. What is truly better this year is my eye viewing the scenery, close or far.

I am spontaneous at noticing things.  My eyes flit about instead of stare, and I turn and notice things. Example: I heard some women laugh after a man spoke at the grocery checkout. I turned 180 degrees to see what that was. A tall man had just joked with three women who were facing him. I was surprised at my quick, turn around response. I have become more socially spontaneous, too.

Now,  I hope to get into bodybuilding again. Two years ago, I couldn’t find any thoughts to desire it at all, and it had been a passion of mine. Listening to the music of Johann Strauss has freed me up to start thinking about mobility again. I can picture the ballroom dancers seen on youtube when I hear or think of this music. Prior to this, I couldn’t picture any motion at all.

Now, I need to expand my visualization to other activity.  I used a study where one group exercised, one group imagined exercising, and another group did nothing. The second group improved, though not as much as the first. The third group made no improvement. This study told me that the mind will affect the body in regard to motion.

My biggest crisis this year was whether to go down in defeat or not. Howard Schifke said, if you fight Parkinson’s, it will fight you back. After that, I could see you can fight the whole thing–it may be fierce, but its fierceness does not have to beat you into a hole.

When you set up one therapy or practice you open up other possibilities of  healing. I am excited with the effects already of making this list of gratitude for recovery in 2012.

Alan

2 responses so far

Dec 28 2011

Music as Therapy for Symptoms of Parkinsons Disease

Published by under music and Parkinson's

I  got Parkinson’s disease 18 years ago and have decided to get rid of it !!!! I have started to seriously practice chineng qi-gong and hope I will be able to reduce my medication soon. I do not have the shivering version of PD but the moving disorder. In off times I can hardly walk but under medication I am doing not so bad.

I have developed a very interesting  way of being able to walk when I can`t walk. it is listening with mp3 player to specially rhythmic music at 104 metronome beats per minute  like the Radetzky march by Strauss.

I concentrate on the music and I start as if  everything would be normal. Other people should try it. My experience of walking  with marching music has been really incredible because there is no  medicine that would make it possible for me to walk immediately during an off period.

Gerdi

Thanks for giving me permission to post your most fascinating report of how music makes it possible to you to walk during your off periods.  How cool is that!

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
www.pioneersofrecovery.com

No responses yet

Dec 28 2011

Another Natural Therapy for Parkinsons: Bare Back Horse Riding

Published by under horses,Natural Therapies

Remarkable stories of natural therapies keep rolling in. Have you every considered giving bare back horse riding a trial run?  The progress report from Hanne below (whose case story was posted on the Parkinsons Recovery Blog last year)  would inspire anyone to give horse back riding consideration!

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pi0neers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

Hanne was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease in 1998 by a neurologist and again in 1999 by two other neurologists. She had a PET-scan in 2000. The result was a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in the early stages.

Hanne stopped taking Parkinson’s medications in 2000 and has adopted her own approach to treating her disease. Her balance and muscle strength was very bad at that time.You can read her full case story posted here on the blog by clicking on Parkinsons disease .

Horse riding is a good way to facilitate better balance and strengthen muscles. Hanne is riding her Icelandic horse Jari nearly every day, but once or twice a week she rides bare back as it facilitates better balance and strengthens the muscles even more. Below is a photo from Hanne from October 2011 as she rides in a gallop up a hill. Hanne was born in 1954.

Hanne Gallops on her Horse Bare Back Up a Hill

Bare Back Horse Ridding by Hanne

2 responses so far

Dec 28 2011

2012 New Year Survey

Published by under Parkinsons Recovery

I am appalled at the lack of scientific methodology demonstrated by your survey parameters.  People with Parkinsons (PWP) are generally on a cocktail of medications to maintain a “reasonable” facsimile of a normal life.  These medications do not effect the degenerative nature of the disease in any way; they merely mask the symptoms of the disease.  Based on this fact, it is quite natural that the patient would “feel” better than in the past.  Otherwise, what would be the sense it taking all the drugs?  Had this been a valid survey, you would have to take the PWP off their drugs for a couple of  weeks a year and then ask your question.  

What you have created with your survey is merely pseudo scientific nonsense where the data proves your conclusion.  Now either you realize this and are perpetrating a fraud just to sell books, or you have forgotten how to conduct a survey such that the data provides the conclusion.  

I would ask that you voluntarily stop your survey and the spread of false information.  

PWP need real facts not fiction.  Life is hard enough with Parkinson’s, we do not need false hopes.  Pedal your snake oil solutions somewhere else.

Thanks for your quick retraction of your “Survey”

David

Response:

Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to clarify for everyone that the 2012 New Year Survey is not – I repeat not – a scientific survey. The survey asks two simple questions. The first asks people who currently experience the symptoms of Parkinson’s to report on how they are feeling overall now relative to this same time last year. The second question asks that another person in the same household who does not have Parkinson’s answer the same question.

The motivation behind the 2012 New Year Survey is not to prove anything or study anything. There are many reasons why the 2012 New Year Survey is not scientific. The sample is certainly not random. After all – the persons who will respond are persons who are connected in some fashion or another to the work of Parkinsons Recovery. This group of individuals are typically exploring a wide variety of therapies of one form or another that are offering sustained relief from their symptoms. Results will offer a snap shot descriptive picture of this highly truncated population.

The mission of Parkinsons Recovery is to document any therapies that people have discovered are helping them get relief from symptoms. I want people to realize that there are some people who are feeling better this year than last year.

Beliefs about the prospects of recovery have a huge impact on the recovery process. If we believe that Parkinson’s  symptoms will get worse every year – then I can assure you they will get worse. End of story.

Yes – it is true that I am a scientist but I am not designing a study here. My intent is to influence people’s attitudes and install hope for the coming year of 2012. Some people have been successful with reversing their symptoms. I want people to know the good news.

At some point I will design a study to evaluate recovery. The final design however will not  require that people go off their medications. The result of such a requirement could be potentially dangerous for some people. No one should simply stop taking their medications without close consultation with their doctors and other heath care providers.If people were surveyed who went cold turkey on their medications, they would report feeling  significantly worse.

As you point out, the good news about medications is that they do provide relief to some people over the short term. Over the long term however, symptoms tend to worsen, requiring higher dosages and the burden of possible side effects. The long term studies of people taking medications show a decline on average of about 3-4% each year.

Taking medications is one choice among many other choices that can be considered. People who are on the road to recovery typically explore a wide variety of therapies which often include medications (including diet, exercise and many others).

If this were a scientific study I would add a long list of additional questions to  control for confounding factors. For example, I would be asking about all of the therapies the respondents are currently undergoing in addition to a long list of other questions. Again, the results of the 2012 New Year Survey will simply describe the current situation of persons who happen to follow the work of Parkinsons Recovery.

Finally, I invite everyone over the holidays to scroll back to the several years of radio shows that I have aired with researchers, medical doctors, naturopaths, psychologists and and variety of health care professionals who talk about what is helping people get relief from  their symptoms.

As a researcher, I am looking everywhere for information about what is helping people who currently experience the symptoms of Parkinsons get relief from their symptoms. If a therapy is helping some people I want others to know about it! I want people to know that there are many options to consider.

Again, thanks for your input. Most people who had the same thoughts would not have bothered writing me! I have no doubt that other people have likely had the same thoughts.

I also want to take this opportunity to preview a few of the free support services that are offered by Parkinsons Recovery. Incidentally, all of the information contained in my books has already been posted on the Parkinsons Recovery blog or is covered in one of my radio shows.

Parkinsons Recovery Newsletter

Receive free newsletters about our discoveries by adding your email when visiting the main Parkinsons Recovery website at:

http://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Parkinsons Recovery Magazine

Articles by health care providers and persons with Parkinsons are published in this quarterly Parkinsons Recovery Internet publication. Obtain your free back issues by visiting:

http://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com/magazine.html

Radio Program:

I air a free weekly internet radio Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m pacific time. Every show is different, though the theme is always the same: what are people doing that offers relief from symptoms?

I have hosted guests from across the globe who discuss what is making a significant difference for people who currently experiences symptoms of Parkinsons Disease.    The main page for the Parkinsons Recovery Radio Show is:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkinsons-recovery

All shows are archived so recordings of all past shows will always be available and of course are free.

Parkinsons Blog:

I regularly post information on the Parkinsons Blog where you will find the most current scoop. If you are reading this post – you have already landed on the blog!

http://www.blog.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Parkinsons Recovery Chat Room:

Participate in the chat room 24 hours a day. Access will always be free.

http://www.parkinsonsrecovery.net

Symptom Tracker :

How do you know whether the therapies you are choosing to pursue help? Track your symptoms over time. The Parkinsons Recovery Symptom Tracker will always be free and available 24 hours a day (unless the server is down which happens on rare occasions).

Every time you answer the 39 questions from the Parkinsons Disease Questionnaire (39)
(which is a standard research instrument for Parkinsons) you will see a graph that shows your personal progress toward recovery. Any areas that need to be brought to the attention of your doctor will also be evident from your progress report.

http://www.symptomtracker.info/parkinsons/login.php

Ask Questions:

Write me your questions. I am happy to research them or find people who can help with the answers. Again, this service is free.

http://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com/askus.html

Thanks for your interest in the work of Parkinsons Recovery. Important things are happening for everyone.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

No responses yet

Dec 21 2011

Best Way to Eliminate a Hand Tremor

Published by under Pioneers of Recovery,tremors

Dear Robert:

I need your help. I am 70 years old. I recently discovered that my right hand “tremors a little” when I hold a pen, a cup, or a fork.

My friend told me that I may have early symptom of Parkinson and suggested to take 5 mg. of Enada.

What do you think? What is the best way to eliminate the hand tremor?

Thanks.

James 

Response:

I can sense that the comment by your friend that you may be experiencing the early stage of Parkinson’s Disease elicited considerable fear and anxiety. The instinct of course is to find a quick remedy that will calm the tremor down or make it go away.

There are certainly medications of one type or another that will silence a  tremor in the short term. For many people relief [if even in the short term] is most welcome. You have ask for a recommendation on a medication that will do just that – silence the tremor whether in the short term or the long term.

There are variety of herbs and prescription medications that will serve that purpose and provide just that type of relief. I have interviewed several herbalists who recommend one herb or another for tremors – so this is clearly an avenue you might want to pursue. Aunt Bean makes a homemade tincture from fava beans which gives her incredible relief from her symptoms. You can find more information about her remedy on the Parkinsons Recovery Fava Bean website. [http://www.favabeans.parkinsonsrecovery.com]

Let me suggest an alternative approach to this puzzle. Instead of dampening the symptom
- investigate more systematically. Why is your body telling you that something is currently out of balance? Treat the tremor as valuable information your body is giving you right now.

Have you been exposed to toxins of one type or another?

  • How about exposure to Agent Orange?
  • How about exposure to radiation?
  • How about exposure to pesticides?
  • How about exposure to heavy metals?

We have discovered that unwelcome critters that live inside your body can also create neurological havoc.

  1. Is Lyme Disease a possible factor for you? It’s symptoms are the same as those of Parkinson’s
  2. Do you possibly have an overgrowth of candida? This can cause the symptoms too.
  3. Is it possible that you have a reaction to a tetanus inoculation? Sharry Edwards has discovered that tetanus is a primary factor for a surprising number of people who have had BioAcoustic profiling done.

I will not attempt to provide a full of possible causes list since it would take a book and this is only a short post in a blog. Consider the above as a short list of possible factors that may be causing your tremor.

Most importantly, use your intention to dampen the fear that your friend has triggered. Once you determine the factor (or factors) that are causing the tremor, you will be able to find a resolution to the problem. One the cause has been identified and treated you will no longer need to mask the symptom with a prescription drug or herb.

Might I suggest that the perfect New Year’s Resolution for you would be to set the intention to determine the cause of your tremor, to treat it and subsequently become symptom free in 2012.

I just released Pioneers of Recovery 2012 which includes the stories of 11 persons with Parkinsons who reversed their symptoms. Each pioneer was a guest on my radio show. You
can listen to the shows as you investigate causes that may be factors or you can read about their stories in Pioneers of Recovery 2012.

The one and only person who can solve the puzzle of why you are experiencing a tremor is you. Join with others on the road to recovery as you set the intention to heal the tremor instead of treating it symptomatically,

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

No responses yet

Dec 16 2011

Mucuna Puriens

Published by under mucuna

Hi – I’ve been going through the archives of your show and am trying a  few things little by little. I can’t stress enough the hope it has given me! Thank you.

I can’t seem to access the blog (I’m in Ireland?) and was wondering if you’ve covered the topic of Zandopa also known ad Mucuna Puriens of Kapikachu Choornam – ayurvedic herbal dopaminergic.

Are you familiar with this? I’d love to know your subscribers’ experiences.

Response:

I am so delighted to hear that you have found helpful information from listening to the Parkinsons Recovery Radio Show. All shows are archived and can be accessed any time of the day or night no matter where you live in the world. Access is free. I have been airing live shows since 2009, so there is a wealth of information that can be mined from  listening to the past shows.

It sounds like you have had a challenge navigating to the blog. The URL address of the Parkinsons Recovery Blog is:

www.blog.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Categories are listed on the right side of the main page. Click on the category listed as “mucuna” and five posts on the topic will be presented. 

Yes, I am very familiar with mucuna as a treatment used by some people to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s.  One significant challenge is finding a quality source of mucuna. It is sold from many sources, but the energetic charge in most of the products is minimal.  

Another resource I highly recommend is a fava bean website. Aunt Bean regularly posts updates on growing fava beans and mucuna on her farm in Tennessee. She will be hosting a workshop in June to show people how to make a homemade tincture from fava bean sprouts. Aunt Bean’s tincture has provided her with remarkable relief from her symptoms.

The URL address of the fava bean website is:

www.favabeans.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
www.pioneersofrecovery.com

No responses yet

Dec 14 2011

Coaching for Parkinson’s

Published by under coaching

My guest on the Parkinsons Recovery Radio Show offers coaching to persons who currently experience the symptoms of Parkinson’s. What is a coach you ask? A coach is a person who can provide invaluable assistance on your road to recovery. Incidentally, my guest Katrine Greene, MSW, offered to do a free coaching session to anyone who calls her office or emails her over the holidays.

If you find yourself in the midst of the holidays in a stressed place – overwhelmed and overcome with demands on you – here is a wonderful resource to consider. When I heard the answers about coaching that Katrina provided during my show today, I concluded that coaching can be an invaluable resource to help anyone through difficult times.

You can hear my show today with guest Katrine Greene by visiting:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkinsons-recovery

Are you having money problems? Why not contact Katrina? It will not cost you anything.

Are you having problems deciding what step to take next on your journey to recovery? Why not contact Katrina? Her website is:

http://www.successfullifecoaching.com

I asked her to be a guest on the show because she has had experience working with individuals who currently experience the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Success of her clients with reversing symptoms has been remarkable.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

 

 

 

No responses yet

Dec 13 2011

Good News About My Progress

Published by under recovery

Dear Robert,

A month has passed and I want to report good news about my progress. I’m happy to say:

The inner shaking is completely gone. It was constantly present before.

I have better balance when walking  Now I can even look aside when walking, which was impossible for me two months ago.

My left side, the affected one, is not so rigid and heavy any more.

I notice tiny swings of my left arm when I am walking.

My voice gained some energy back. Before I sounded like I was too exhausted to talk.

I notice more strength in my body.

My concentration is better. I can work for 3-4 hours now. Before it was around 1-2 hours.

In general, I feel much better. Of course, some days are good, some others not so much, but I notice the progress. I know I still have a long way to go, but I am optimistic now!

My recovery program includes:

 I don’t take any anti-parkinsons drugs.

Dr. Paneri’s ayurvedic medicine since October 10th 2011 – I’m taking some tablets at mornings and evenings and some others before and after lunch and dinner. I follow the diet which, honestly, is not so hard to follow. I order a new package of medicine from India every two months.

Since September 2011 my husband is helping me according to the description in the book of Dr. Janice Walton-Hadlock – he simply holds my foot for an hour every evening. I have noticed recovery symptoms described in the book. The method is aimed to correct wrong energy (Qi) flows in the body.  Note, please, that this method is suitable only for those who are not taking any anti-parkinsons drugs!

I have a Tui na massage every two weeks.

I practice yoga (30 min daily, twice a week for an hour).

I meditate daily.

I work on resolving the psychological influences (conflicts, resentment, guilt, trauma, etc.).

I practice self-healing method reiki and … I’m changing my life principle from “Be good, work hard!” towards a wiser one: “F*** it!”

:-) It works! :-)

I wish you all a nice day! And … let’s keep going!

Romana

One response so far

Dec 13 2011

Holiday Healing from Parkinsons Recovery

Published by under healing

Holidays are a time of feverish activity and stress for many persons who currently experience the symptoms of Parkinson’s. The Parkinsons Recovery Holiday Healing will settle down all anxiety provoking stresses of the holidays to a place of centeredness, balance and harmony. When stress flares, symptoms flare. Eliminate stress and most symptoms vanish.

Click on the purple arrow below to hear live streaming of the Parkinsons Recovery Holiday Meditation to reduce stress:

Holiday Healing from Parkinsons Recovery


Holiday Healing from Parkinsons Recovery

Click on the link below to hear the Holiday Healing Meditation from Parkinsons Recovery:

Holiday Healing Meditation

Nancy Welch’s new book, Medicine and Meditation, Conversations on Mindfulness in the Management of Chronic Pain and Illness, has just been published. It is a true gem. Nancy and I conducted a series of interviews with people who were national experts on meditation. Some of you may have listened into some of these interviews. The book captures the wisdom of the incredible people we interviewed.

The print book is $14.99 and the download is $9.99. For further information and to order, visit:

www.medicinemeditation.com

No responses yet

Next »